Reclamation Selects the Recipients of More Than $2.1 Million in CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grants

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100

For Release: May 31, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Bureau of Reclamation today announced the selection of $2,175,809 million in CALFED Water Use Efficiency grant projects for Fiscal Year 2013. Combined with local cost-share contributions, more than $12.6 million in water management improvement projects will be implemented during the next 24 months.

The selected projects will conserve more than 2,600 acre-feet per year of water and better manage 30,000 acre-feet per year of water, contributing to the CALFED Bay-Delta Program objectives of improving ecosystem health, water supply reliability and water quality. California and federal agencies are partners in the 30-year program (2000-2030).

Projects were selected through a competitive process and priority consideration was given to projects that addressed CALFED goals on a statewide basis. Reclamation selected six projects to fund across California:

Cawelo Water District – $500,000 - Cawelo Water District, along with the North Kern Water Storage District, plans to line 2,431 feet of the Calloway Canal with concrete. This project is expected to conserve about 485 acre-feet annually. Dunnigan Water District – $40,809 - This project will automate both data and operational controls to significantly increase power and water use efficiency in the operation of the district's pumps and delivery of water. This project is expected to better manage 14,000 acre-feet annually.

Firebaugh Canal Water District – $500,000 - This project will upgrade two miles of a canal with concrete lining. The project is expected to conserve 280 acre-feet annually.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – $500,000 - This program will offer residential customers an enhanced incentive to participate in MWD's water conservation program by providing rebates for high efficiency clothes washers. It is expected to conserve about 650 acre-feet annually.

Natomas Central Mutual Water Company – $135,000 - Natomas Mutual Water Company plans to reconstruct the existing check structure in its Northern Main Canal below Sankey Road to provide a structure to accommodate fluctuations in flow with minimal effect on the upstream water level. Automated control gates will also be installed to provide flow control through the structure to maintain constant water levels. This project is expected to save about 395 acre-feet of water annually and better manage 16,000 acre-feet each year.

Sacramento Suburban Water District – $500,000 - Sacramento Suburban Water District plans to implement a residential water meter installation program, which is a collaborative project with three water supply agencies. The project involves installation of 5,953 residential meters to achieve water savings estimated at about 815 acre-feet annually.

For more information on the CALFED Water Use Efficiency Program, please contact Lee Mao at 916-978-5202 or lmao@usbr.gov.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.